Double Feature

July 2005 - It's way too hot to do any serious thinking. So, here are two movies you can watch without thinking too hard. In fact, if you do start thinking, you'll have questions. And then you'll start thinking about the answers. And then? Well, I don't what to think about what happens then.

So, fasten your seat belt and go for a ride with 1991's Thelma and Louise. Mensan Geena Davis got an Oscar nomination for her role as Thelma. Susan Sarandon, as Louise, also got a nomination.

They set off for a weekend fishing trip in Louise's green 1966 Thunderbird convertible. Thelma, who's practically never been out of the house, wants to stop at a roadhouse and have some fun. The fun ends when Thelma is almost raped. Louise shoots the bastard and the gals speed off with a plan to head to Mexico. Somewhere in Oklahoma, Thelma discovers her talent for armed robbery.

At Thelma's insistence, they pick up a hitchhiker named J.D. (Brad Pitt). They head to a motel where Louise's boyfriend (Michael Madsen) has wired then $6700. Louise gives the money to Thelma. Thelma has wild sex with J.D. J.D. steals the money. No worries. Thelma kind of likes this robbery thing.

Overall review: Liked it. But, as I said, you can't ask too many questions. For example, what's a smart girl like Louise doing hanging out with a ditz like Thelma? Why did Louise shoot the would-be rapist? And, why wouldn't they turn themselves in and claim self-defense? And, why would Louise give $6700 to a ditz like Thelma? See? Too many questions. Just enjoy the ride.

Buckle up extra tight for Cellular, a 2004 thriller starring Kim Basinger. She plays Jessica Martin, a wife, mother and teacher living in suburban LA. The movie opens as she returns home from talking her son to school. Suddenly, thugs break down the door. They whisk Jessica off to some rundown house and stash her in the attic. The main thug leaves only to return moments later and smash the attic phone to bits.

Jessica reconnects wires in the phone and manages to dial the cell phone of a young man named Ryan. He makes it his personal mission to save Jessica and her family. In the course of the afternoon, Ryan steals a car, breaks just about every traffic law in the book, carjacks a wiseass attorney, holds up a cell phone store (but pays for the charger), and beats up a cop.

Overall review: Ehhh, it was OK. Held my interest because of all the action, but generally too far-fetched to be believable. For example, since Jessica is a teacher, shouldn't she be heading to work after she drops off her son at school? What's she doing going back home? And, you can't break as many traffic laws as Ryan does without getting arrested – or killed. But, you have to give Basinger props for knowing how to rewire a phone!

Thelma and Louise is rated R. Cellular is PG-13. Both movies should be available on DVD or home video.